New Canaan dismantles Staples in FCIAC showdown

Jon Chik

Updated 2:25 pm, Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at left, is sacked by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan causing a first quarter fumble during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013. The fumble was recovered by New Canaan and led to a first quarter touchdown.
Photo: Bob Luckey

As Staples wide receiver, Bryan Porter (# 45), left, and Staples running back Pat Lesch (# 25), at center, fall to the ground, Robby Paul of New Canaan (# 8), right, comes close to a second quarter interception after breaking up a pass play during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.

At right, New Canaan's Alexander Dobbin (# 10) deflects the punt of Sean Jensen (# 85) of Staples during the second quarter of the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at left, is pursued by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.

At center, Bobby Jacowleff (# 1) of Staples steps in front of New Canaan wide receiver, Robby Paul (# 8) to make a second quarter intercetion during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013. At right is Jake Melnick (# 10) of Staples also defending on the play.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At center, Frank Cognetta (# 4) of New Canaan scores a first quarter touchdown on a runnng play during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione (# 15) throws the ball during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At right, running back Jack Greenwald (# 28) of Staples outruns the New Canaan defense to score a first quarter touchdown during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Teddy Dumbauld (# 42) of New Canaan with teammates during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan's Cole Turpin (# 9) catches a kick-off during the Hhgh School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione (# 15) runs the ball during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

At top, Nicolaas Esposito (# 5) of Staples gets tangled up with a teammate as they both go for the ball during a kick-off reception in the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.

New Canaan High School football coach Lou Marinelli during the game...

At right, Will Johnson (# 2) of Staples breaks up a pass thrown to Robby Paul (# 8) of New Canaan during the first quarer of the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione avoids the tackle of a diving Peter Blevins, right, of Staples, during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione avoids the tackle of a diving Peter Blevins, right, of Staples, during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione, at center, runs into a referee while being pursued by Austin Nicklas (# 44) of Staples during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione, at center, runs into a referee during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione throws during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at right, is pursued by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at left, is pursued by Connor Buck (# 99) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at right, is sacked by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at left, is sacked by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan's Mike Collins (# 16) holds the ball as teammate and kicker Peter Swindell, right, connects on a field goal during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan's Michael DiCosmo (# 31) carries the sledge-hammer onto the field prior to the start of the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione (# 15) throws the ball during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples junior Claire Smith sings the National Anthem at the start of the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Staples quarterback Jack Massie (# 16), at left, is sacked by Zachary Allen (# 44) of New Canaan during the high School football game between Staples High School and New Canaan High School at Staples in Westport, Friday night, Oct. 25, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

WESTPORT -- Another week, another runaway win for the New Canaan football team.

For the seventh time in as many games to start the season, the Rams offense was virtually uncontainable while their defense routinely blew plays up in the backfield.

The only difference on Friday night was that it was up against fellow perennial powerhouse Staples. You know, the same Staples team that won the FCIAC title the past two seasons? And the Rams still won going away by a final of 43-7.

"It helps tremendously when you have a short field to work with. It limits the playbook a little bit, but it makes it easier to punch it in," said New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione, who threw a touchdown and ran for two more. "We could have done a lot more damage, but I'm happy with the end result: Forty-three points and a win. Can't complain."

New Canaan once again benefitted from outstanding field position all night, and following a Staples three-and-out to start the game, the Rams went 34 yards in six plays, taking the lead when Cascione threw a quick pass to Alex LaPolice in the slot, who took a hit but still found the end zone on a 19-yard catch-and-run over the middle.

Staples next possession came to an immediate halt on its first play when New Canaan's Zach Allen forced a fumble that was recovered by Maxson Wilson.

Seven plays later, the Rams were back in the end zone on a seven-yard designed run up the middle by Cascione for a 14-0 lead.

On the second play of their next possession, the Wreckers seemingly got back into the game on a 47-yard run through the New Canaan defense by Jack Greenwald. Save for this one explosive play, the Wreckers could get precious little going on offense.

"Physically up front, we kind of got worn down. We couldn't protect (quarterback) Jack (Massie), and when you can't protect the quarterback it's hard to get any sort of passing game going," Staples coach Marce Petroccio said. "You're caught between a rock and a hard place because you want to run the ball, but you really can't."

Cole Turpin returned the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to the Staples 27, and three plays later, Frank Cognetta went 12 yards for the score and a 21-7 lead.

New Canaan kicker Peter Swindell had a big night, going three-for-three in field goals, including a 26-yarder and a 33-yarder to boost the Rams' lead to 27-7 at halftime. Swindell's final field goal was a 30-yarder at the start of the fourth.

Staples will look to rebound next Friday with another marquee game on the road against Trumbull at 7 p.m.

New Canaan once again puts perfection on the line when it plays host to unbeaten St. Joseph tonight at 7 p.m. in what could be the most anticipated game of the season.

"I thought our defensive staff did a tremendous job of stopping their option attack. I don't know when the last time was that they were held to seven, but it was a tremendous team effort," New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli said. "I think our coaching staff did a tremendous job. I don't think we've ever held them to seven points, and I think we just caught them right tonight."